Benin Chief Of Army Staff Commends Nigerian Army

The visiting Benin Republic’s Chief of Army Staff, Colonel Fructeux Gbaguidi, thanked the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff for the warm reception accorded him, disclosing that he was in Nigeria to participate in a seminar on West African Land Forces held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja from 26th to 27th September 2017 and deemed it necessary to visit his Nigerian Army counterpart.

He added that it was imperative to pay courtesy call on his Nigerian counterpart since he was visiting Nigeria for the first time and to interact with him on ways to enhance the bi-lateral relationship between his country and the Nigeria. He also added that the visit was also in appreciaition of the critical leading role Nigerian Army is playing in peace restoration and maintenance not only in the West African sub-region, but the entire world. He solicited for continued support and cooperation between the two Armies.

In his reponse, the Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Arny, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, thanked Colonel Abdias for the visit and pledged the Nigerian Army’s support to the Republic of Benin’s Army on manpower development, particularly on military training.

Lieutenant General Buratai recalled that Nigeria and Benin Republic have had a long cordial relationship, maintaining that they are best of friends and partners in different peacekeeping operations, joint military operations under the auspices of ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force. He urged the visiting COAS to take advantage of training facilities of the Nigerian Army for the benefit of Republic of Benin’s Army officers and soldiers. He further stated that Nigerian Army has incorporated French language in its institutions to enable it collaborate effectively with our neighbouring countries, particularly Benin Republic.